Cape May Marsh Restoration Underway

Cape May National Wildlife Refuge, N.J., began a $200,000 marsh restoration project early November. The goal of the project is to build resiliency along 60 miles of the New Jersey coastline, sediment development, reduce the risk of flooding and provide a wildlife sanctuary. Currently, the refuge provides a habitat to 317 bird species and is a bird tourism destination.

According to Heidi Hanlon, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife biologist, “The plants are stressed because of excess water that's sitting on the marsh,” she said. “By helping the drainage of the marsh, the plants will get healthier and they'll be able to trap sediment on top of the marsh, which will help build the marsh.”

The marsh restoration will be using a low ground pressure excavator, known as a Marsh Master, to create narrow runnels to drain pooled water. As the water runs out of the marsh, the sediment will stay behind ultimately raising the elevation of the marsh. Funding for the project comes from federal funding dedicated to Hurricane Sandy recovery.